Date: 02-05-24  Time: 02:42 am
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Author Topic: Hello from Essex  (Read 3163 times)

Rich_Benfield

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Hello from Essex
« on: 13 January 2016, 09:23:34 am »
Hi there,


I just picked up my 600 Fazer from Cambridge last night after my commute from Rayleigh to London (since last March) killed my 900 Divvie.  I bought the Divvie because of the shaft drive but was secretly glad when it gave up the ghost because it was a bit heavy for charging through London on a daily basis.  Truth be told though, the D900 did well considering it was 21 years old and I did 11,000 miles since the end of March 2015 so can't complain for a £700 bike.


So, on to the Fazer.  It was on ebay http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281902407353.  I bought it for £900 which I think is reasonable.


It has a few mods:


  • Rear Hugger
  • Front Mudguard Extension
  • Braided brake lines
  • (ugly) belly pan
  • Full Stainless Micron exhaust (not as loud as I expected)
  • some Chrome tat bolted on the radiator
As you can see, it's a little scruffy but not too bad.  the best bit is how it rides!


When I first jumped on it, it felt like a toy!  It's so small and light compared to my Divvie.  I felt proper wobbly the first couple of miles as it requires so much less input to steer than my old bike.  Strangely, this mornings commute felt totally natural which is a good sign.


I know i'm preaching to the converted but this thing is hilarious!  I was grinning like a lunatic on my ride into London this morning.


First mods planned will be scottoiler and hotgrips.  After all, it's a commuter first and foremost at least until March when I will change jobs and be working more locally.


pics from ebay:






Cheers,


Rich
« Last Edit: 13 January 2016, 09:24:16 am by Rich_Benfield »
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eddie

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #1 on: 13 January 2016, 02:46:30 pm »
Hi keep an eye on the brakes,they don't like salt ,used to clean mine once  a month in winter to  stop pistons seizing,they are awesome  stoppers if kept on top  of
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Rich_Benfield

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #2 on: 13 January 2016, 02:49:28 pm »
Will do.  thanks for that
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Hedgetrimmer

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #3 on: 13 January 2016, 03:22:52 pm »
Hi Rich, welcome.


Black eh? Fazersharp will be happy. Oh wait - silver s/arm? Silver cam cover ends? Orange indicator lenses? It's ok fazersharp, you can save the tissues  :lol
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Rich_Benfield

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #4 on: 13 January 2016, 04:21:28 pm »
thanks!

This summer I'll get the fork legs and swing arm powdercoated black, and repaint the engine. I'll be keeping the cam cover end caps and the fins on the engine silver though, and the orange indicators!

Need to open the airbox and see if there's a K&N air filter in there, seeing as there's a few other mods done, it's probably wise to check
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mtread

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #5 on: 13 January 2016, 10:50:03 pm »
Hi Rich, from another Fazer rider in Rayleigh. My commute is into Southend, so I hardly get cold  :)
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sinto

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #6 on: 13 January 2016, 10:56:36 pm »
Quote from: Rich_Benfield on 13 January 2016, 04:21:28 pm
Need to open the airbox and see if there's a K&N air filter in there
No need to do that! Take it out a run and if it goes as fast as a red bike you'll have a k&n in there :pokefun
Welcome to the madhouse BTW :)
« Last Edit: 13 January 2016, 10:57:52 pm by sinto »
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Colin
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Ride fast, ride a red bike :-)

Rich_Benfield

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #7 on: 13 January 2016, 10:58:51 pm »
Hahaha I'd never slow down to red bike speeds.

@mtread - hi, I'll be commuting to Southend starting in march. I'm looking forward to it!
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mtread

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #8 on: 13 January 2016, 11:38:39 pm »
Rich - via Hockley/Hawkwell is a nice ride with a blast down Cherry Orchard way. Or if you've got time, Hullbridge Road, Lower Road and Ashingdon for little traffic and some twisties. Just avoid the school runs (and me overtaking you on a red foxeye  :) )
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eddie

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #9 on: 14 January 2016, 08:39:43 am »
Rich ...check front sprocket ,nut has been known  to come loose, there is a modified  nut available it's  cost is peanuts any good yam dealer will get you one,also if changing front sprocket get a new tab washer don't use old one
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Rich_Benfield

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #10 on: 14 January 2016, 10:54:45 pm »
Thanks Eddie, will do.

@mtread I know those roads, there's also some good ones out by Canewdon too
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mtread

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #11 on: 14 January 2016, 11:55:10 pm »
Yes there are, but only when I want to be late for work  :)
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Frosties

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #12 on: 15 January 2016, 11:50:08 am »
Hi Rich, welcome fella  :thumbup


Have a search on here for "headlight mod" to improve the shite originals.


Know those local roads very well from my youth, shed loads of fun  :lol .
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Arfa

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #13 on: 15 January 2016, 07:21:38 pm »
Welcome aboard. Also commute into London, from Dagenham, so not quite as far out. Mods I'd recommend for a commuter hack are: nautilus stebel horn, to wake up dumb ass drivers: fender extender, to keep crap off front: top box, to carry a feckoff big security chain.
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Exupnut

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #14 on: 15 January 2016, 07:45:33 pm »

Quote from: Arfa on 15 January 2016, 07:21:38 pm
Mods I'd recommend for a commuter hack are: nautilus stebel horn, to wake up dumb ass drivers: fender extender, to keep crap off front: top box, to carry a feckoff big security chain. And a blue bike to let every cunt you mean business.

hehe....ur a guru mate... Wot about that coffee ?
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Rich_Benfield

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Re: Hello from Essex
« Reply #15 on: 18 January 2016, 11:03:11 am »
hehehe thanks all!

Fitted my tucano urbano bar muffs last night as I stupidly forgot to remove my heated grips from my old bike... Never tried muffs before and they really help, even if they look a bit rubbish!

Also bought a Loobman chain oiler which should arrive soon.  I'll be in full-on commuter spec over winter.
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